Territorial evolution of the British Empire
This is a partial list of current and former British territories. More precisely, it traces the evolution of British (and English) imperial possessions of all status, from instances of occupation, to protectorates, to colonies to overseas territories starting with the establishment of the Kingdom of England. The list is organised by region and gives the status of the territory and the years of which it was effective. It also shows the degree of each it is tied, if at all, to the present United Kingdom. Links to relevant treaty and act can be found under "(Year)".
The rise of the British Empire has its origin in the 15th century during the reign of King Henry VIII of England. Colonial expansion and imperial holdings spread British influence across the globe and increased wealth and prestige for the mother country. By late 1890s and early 1900s, British territories scattered over every one of the world's continents and oceans, whence it has been believed to be the height of the Empire.
Through the wave of decolonisation beginning in the 1960s, many of the newly independent states retain ties to Britain, in the forms of joining the Commonwealth of Nations, and/or recognising the British monarch as the head of state.
British influence also left its legacies in many parts of world on the cultural, social, political, economic fronts. Many territories with former colonial ties retain the common law legal system and/or using currencies derived from pound sterling. Some of the democracies have adopted the Westminster parliamentary system for their governments. The English language is now a dominant or official language in many countries formerly under British rule. As a result, English is now the third-most spoken native language worldwide (after Chinese and Hindi), with some 380 million speakers. Due to the military, economic, scientific, political and cultural influence of the British Empire in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries, English has achieved lingua franca status worldwide.
The United Kingdom, generally called "Britain", was formed through successive unions of ancient nations:
| Territory | Event (Year) | Lasted |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom of England | Alfred the Great first styled as King of England (871) | (871-1536) |
| Kingdom of England | Principality of Wales annexed (1536) | (1536-1707) |
| United Kingdom of Great Britain | union with Kingdom of Scotland (1707) | (1707-1800) |
| United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland | union with Kingdom of Ireland (1801) | (1801-1922) |
| United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland | independence of the Irish Free State (1922) | (1922-) |
Legacy
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
England; Northern Ireland; Scotland; Wales
3 Crown Dependencies
Guernsey; Jersey; Isle of Man
14 Overseas Territories
Anguilla; Bermuda; British Antarctic Territory; British Indian Ocean Territory; British Virgin Islands; Cayman Islands; Falkland Islands; Gibraltar; Montserrat; Pitcairn Islands; St. Helena; South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands; Turks and Caicos Islands
2 Sovereign Base Areas
Akrotiri; Dhekelia
16 Commonwealth Realms
Antigua and Barbuda; Australia; The Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Canada; Grenada; Jamaica; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; St. Kitts and Nevis; St. Lucia; St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Solomon Islands; Tuvalu; United Kingdom
53 Members of the Commonwealth of Nations
Antigua and Barbuda; Australia; The Bahamas; Bangladesh; Barbados; Belize; Botswana; Brunei; Cameroon; Canada; Cyprus; Dominica; Fiji Islands; The Gambia; Grenada; Guyana; India; Jamaica; Kenya; Kiribati; Lesotho; Malawi; Malaysia; Maldives; Malta; Mauritius; Mozambique; Namibia; Nauru; New Zealand; Nigeria; Pakistan; Papua New Guinea; St. Kitts and Nevis; St. Lucia; St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; Seychelles; Sierra Leone; Singapore; Solomon Islands; South Africa; Sri Lanka; Swaziland; Tanzania; Tonga; Trinidad and Tobago; Tuvalu; United Kingdom; Uganda; Vanuatu; Zambia
List
Legend
| " | Same as above | C | Member of the Commonwealth of Nations |
| !±! | Crown dependency |  |
Part of United Kingdom |
| :±: | British Monarch as head of state, and Commonwealth realm |  |
Overseas territories |
| £IMP | Currency pegged to the GBP | CYP | Pound sterling derived currency |
| !T! | Common law legal system to various extent | [X] | Westminster style parliamentary system |
| abc | English as a dominant or an official language | /\\/ | right-hand-drive rule of road |
Africa
| Territory | Status (Year) | Event Ending Political Entity | Current Jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basutoland | protectorate (1868-1871) | annexed to Cape Colony | Lesotho |
| " | territory (1871-1884) | " | |
| " | colony (1884-1965) | " | |
| " | self-governing colony (1965-1966) | independence C | " |
| Bechuanaland | protectorate (1884-1964) | Botswana | |
| " | colony (1964-1965) | " | |
| " | self-governing colony (1965-1966) | independence C | " |
| - British Bechuanaland | crown colony (1885-1895) | incorporated into Cape Colony | Northern Cape Province/North West Province, South Africa |
| Egypt | occupation (1801-1803) | restored to Egypt | Egypt |
| " | occupation (1882-1914) | " | |
| " | protectorate (1914-1922) | restored to Egypt | " |
| - Suez Canal Zone | controlled (1882-1956) | restored to Egypt | " |
| " | occupation (1956) | restored to Egypt | " |
| Northern Nigeria | Nigeria | ||
| - Niger District | protectorate under United African Company (1885-1899) | part of protectorate of Northern Nigeria | " |
| - Niger River Delta | protectorate Royal Niger Company (1886-1899) | part of protectorate of Northern Nigeria | " |
| Northern Provinces | protectorate (1899-1914) | part of colony of Nigeria | " |
| Southern Nigeria | Nigeria | ||
| - Bight of Biafra | protectorate (1849-1861) | united with Bight of Benin | " |
| - Bight of Benin | protectorate (1852-1861) | united with Bight of Biafra | " |
| - Bights of Biafra and Benin | protectorate (1861-1891) | " | |
| - Brass-Bonny-Opobo-Aobh-Old Calabar | protectorate (1885-1891) | " | |
| - Oil Rivers | protectorate (1891-1893) | " | |
| - Niger Coast | protectorate (1893-1900) | " | |
| - Southern Nigeria | protectorate (1900-1906) | " | |
| Southern Provinces | protectorate (1906-1914) | part of colony of Nigeria | " |
| Lagos | colony (1861-1866) | Lagos, Nigeria | |
| " | colony subordinated to Sierra Leone (1866-1874) | " | |
| " | colony subordinated to Gold Coast (1874-1886) | " | |
| " | colony (1886-1887) | " | |
| " | protectorate (1887-1906) | incorporated into Southern Nigeria | " |
| Nigeria | colony and protectorate (1914-1954) | Nigeria | |
| " | autonomous federation (1954-1960) | independence C | " |
| Rhodesia | |||
| - Matabeleland | protectorate under British South Africa Company (1888-1894) | united with Mashonaland as South Zambesia in 1894 | Zimbabwe |
| - Mashonaland | protectorate under BSAC (1889-1894) | united with Matabeleland as South Zambesia in 1894 | " |
| - South Zambesia | protectorate under BSAC (1894-1895) | united with North Zambesia as Rhodesia | " |
| - Rhodesia | protectorate under BSAC (1895-1901) | Mashonaland and Matabeleland united as Southern Rhodesia | Zimbabwe; Zambia |
| - Southern Rhodesia | protectorate under BSAC (1901-1923) | Zimbabwe | |
| " | self-governing colony (1923-1953) | " | |
| " | part of Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (1953-1963) | independence of North Rhodesia and Nyasaland | Zambia; Zimbabwe; Malawi |
| Rhodesia | crown colony (1964-1965) | unilateral declaration of independence | Zimbabwe |
| " | independence (1965-1970) | not recognised | " |
| " | republic (1970-1979) | not recognised | " |
| -Zimbabwe-Rhodesia | interim state (1979) | returned to colonial status | " |
| " | colony (1979-1980) | independence | " |
| The Sudan/Anglo-Egyptian Sudan | condominium (1899-1952) | Sudan | |
| " | self-rule (1952-1956) | independence | " |
| Swaziland | protectorate under Transvaal (1893-1902) | Swaziland | |
| " | protectorate (1902-1967) | " | |
| " | autonomy (1967-1968) | independence C | " |
| Tanganyika | Tanzania | ||
| German East Africa | occupation (1916-1922) | " | |
| Tanganyika | mandate (1922-1946) | " | |
| UN trust territory under Britain (1946-1961) | self-rule and independence C | " | |
| Tati Concessions Land | concession (1872-1893) | detached from Matabeleland | Botswana |
| " | under protectorate of Bechuanaland (1893-1911) | annexed to Bechuanaland | " |
| Transvaal | colony (1877-1884) | restored to South African Republic | Gauteng/Limpopo/North West/Mpumalanga, South Africa |
| " | colony (1900-1906) | " | |
| " | self-governing colony (1906-1910) | part of Union of South Africa | " |
| Tripolitania | administration (1942-1946) | UN administration | Libya |
| - Benghazi; Sirte | occupation (1942-1946) | " | " |
| - Tripoli | occupation (1943-1946) | " | " |
| Uganda | occupied by British East Africa Company (1890-1893) | Uganda | |
| " | provisional protectorate (1893-1894) | " | |
| " | protectorate (1894-1905) | " | |
| " | colony (1905-1962) | self-government and independence C | " |
| Walvis Bay | occupation (1795-1878) | Namibia | |
| " | protectorate (1878-1884) | part of Cape Colony | " |
| Zululand | crown colony (1887-1897) | incorporation into Natal | KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
North America
(north of Mexico)
| Territory | Status (Year) | Event Ending Political Entity | Current Jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | |||
| - East Florida | colony (1763-1783) | returned to Spain | Florida, United States |
| - West Florida | colony (1763-1781) | retaken by Spain | " |
| Carolina | settlement (1586-1663) | North Carolina/South Carolina, United States | |
| " | colony (1663-1665) | " | |
| " | proprietary colony (1663-1691) | North Carolina/South Carolina/Georgia/Florida, United States | |
| - North Carolina | colony subordinateed to South Carolina (1691-1710) | North Carolina, United States | |
| " | colony (1710-1776) | " | |
| " | state (1776-1789) | state of the United States | " |
| - South Carolina | colony (1691-1710) | South Carolina/Georgia, United States | |
| " | proprietary colony (1710-1732) | " | |
| " | proprietary colony (1732-1778) | South Carolina, United States | |
| " | state (1778-1780) | " | |
| " | occupation (1780-1782) | " | |
| " | state (1778-1780) | state of the United States | " |
| Georgia | proprietary colony (1732-1755) | Georgia, United States | |
| " | crown colony (1755-1777) | " | |
| " | state (1777-1778) | " | |
| " | occupation (1778-1782) | " | |
| " | state (1782-1788) | state of the United States | " |
| New Ireland | occupation (1744-1748; 1758-1763) | Prince Edward Island, Canada | |
| " | part of Nova Scotia (1763-1769) | " | |
| St. John's Island | colony (1769-1799) | renamed | " |
| Prince Edward Island | colony (1799-1873) | province of Canada | " |
| Newfoundland | claimed (1497-1583) | Newfoundland, Canada | |
| " | colony (1583-1818) | " | |
| - Cuper's Cove | colony (1610-1621) | abandoned | " |
| - Bristol's Hope | colony (1618-1631) | abandoned | " |
| - Renews | colony (1610-1623) | abandoned | " |
| - South Falkland | colony (1623-1626) | abandoned | " |
| - Avalon | palatinate (1623-1637) | incorporated into Newfoundland | " |
| Newfoundland | crown colony (1818-1907) | " | |
| " | dominion (1907-1934) | " | |
| " | crown colony (1934-1949) | province of Canada | " |
| - Labrador | part of Newfoundland (1763-1774) | annexed to Quebec | Labrador, Canada |
| " | part of Quebec (1774-1809) | annexed to Newfoundland | " |
| North-Western Territory | (1859-1870) | part of Northwest Territories of Canada | Northwest Territories/Yukon/Nunavut/Alberta/Saskatchewan/British Columbia, Canada |
| - Stikine Territory | territory (1862-1863) | British Columbia/Yukon, Canada | |
| Quebec | colony (1763-1774) | Quebec/Ontario, Canada; Ohio/Michigan/Indiana/Illinois/Wisconsin/Minnesota, United States | |
| " | colony (1774-1783) | Northwest Territories/Nunavut/Alberta/Saskatchewan/Manitoba/Quebec/Ontario, Canada; North Dakota/Minnesota/Ohio/Michigan/Indiana/Illinois/Wisconsin/Minnesota, United States | |
| " | colony (1783-1791) | Quebec/Ontario, Canada | |
| - Lower Canada | colony (1791-1841) | Quebec, Canada | |
| - Canada East | part of province of Canada (1841-1867) | province of Canada | " |
| - Upper Canada | colony (1791-1840) | Ontario, Canada | |
| - Canada West | part of province of Canada (1840-1867) | province of Canada | " |
| " | possession of HBC (1783-1818) | Northwest Territories/Nunavut/Alberta/Saskatchewan/Manitoba, Canada; North Dakota/Minnesota, United States | |
| " | possession of HBC (1818-1869) | Northwest Territories/Nunavut/Alberta/Saskatchewan/Manitoba, Canada | |
| " | " (1869-1870) | Northwest Territories/Nunavut/Alberta/Saskatchewan, Canada | |
| Rupert's Land | possession of Hudson Bay Company (1670-1869) | Northwest Territories/Nunavut/Alberta/Saskatchewan/Manitoba/Quebec/Ontario, Canada; North Dakota/Minnesota, United States | |
| " | part of Quebec (1774-1783) | " | |
| " | possession of HBC (1783-1818) | Northwest Territories/Nunavut/Alberta/Saskatchewan/Manitoba, Canada; North Dakota/Minnesota, United States | |
| North-West Territories | territory of Canada (1870) | Northwest Territories/Yukon/Alberta/Saskatchewan/British Columbia, Canada | |
| - Assiniboia | colony (1812-1836) | Manitoba, Canada | |
| " | district part of Rupert's Land (1836-1870) | province of Canada as Manitoba | " |
| St. Pierre and Miquelon | part of Nova Scotia (1713-1763) | restored to France | St. Pierre and Miquelon, France |
| " | occupation (1778-1783; 1793-1802; 1803-1816) | " | " |
| Vancouver Island | crown colony (1849-1866) | united with colony of British Columbia | British Columbia, Canada |
| Virginia | colony (1607-1624) | Virginia/West Virginia, United States | |
| " | crown colony (1624-1776) | established as independent commonwealth | " |
Central America and the Caribbean
| Territory | Status (Year) | Event Ending Political Entity | Current Jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anguilla | colony under St. Christopher (1650-1696) | Anguilla | |
| " | part of colony of Leeward Islands (1696-1816) | " | |
| " | part of colony of St. Christopher, Nevis, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands (1816-1832) | " | |
| " | part of colony of Leeward Islands as colony of St. Christopher, Nevis, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands (1832-1871) | " | |
| " | part of Federal Colony of Leeward Islands (1871-1882) | " | |
| " | part of colony of Leeward Islands as St. Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla (1882-1956) | " | |
| " | part of St. Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla (1956-1967) | " | |
| " | independence (1967-1969) | British rule restored | " |
| " | part of St. Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla (1969-1976) | ||
| " | self-governing colony (1976-1983) | " | |
| " | dependent territory (1983-2002) | " | |
| " | overseas territory (2002-) |  :±: |
" |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Antigua and Barbuda | ||
| - Antigua | colony (1632-1666; 1667-1671) | Antigua, Antigua and Barbuda; Montserrat | |
| " | part of colony of Leeward Islands (1671-1672) | " | |
| " | part of colony of Leeward Islands (1672-1816) | Antigua, Antigua and Barbuda; British Virgin Islands; Montserrat | |
| " | part of colony of Antigua-Barbuda-Montserrat (1816-1832) | " | |
| " | colony (1832-1833) | " | |
| " | part of colony of Leeward Islands (1833-1870) | united with Barbuda | " |
| - Barbuda | colony (1628-1632) | Barbuda, Antigua and Barbuda | |
| " | dependency of Antigua (1632-1671) | " | |
| " | part of colony of Leeward Islands (1671-1816) | " | |
| " | part of colony of Antigua-Barbuda-Montserrat (1816-1832) | " | |
| " | colony (1832-1833) | " | |
| " | part of colony of Leeward Islands (1833-1870) | united with Antigua | " |
| " | autonomy (1976-1980) | attempted independence | " |
| Antigua and Barbuda | part of colony of Leeward Islands (1870-1871) | Antigua and Barbuda; Montserrat | |
| " | part of Federal Colony of Leeward Islands (1871-1956) | " | |
| " | colony (1956-1958) | Antigua and Barbuda | |
| " | province of West Indies Federation (1958-1962) | " | |
| " | colony (1962-1967) | " | |
| " | associated state (1967-1981) | independence C :±: | " |
| - Redonda | part of Antigua (1872-1981) | Redonda, Antigua and Barbuda | |
| " | dependency (1981-) | " | |
| Antigua-Barbuda-Montserrat | colony (1816-1832) | dissolved | Antigua and Barbuda; Montserrat |
| Aruba | occupation (1799-1802; 1805-1816) | restored to Netherlands | Aruba |
| " | protectorate (1940-1942) | US protectorate | " |
| Bahamas | proprietary colony (1670-1684) | Spanish occupation | Bahamas |
| " | crown colony (1718-1964) | " | |
| " | self-government (1964-1969) | " | |
| " | commonwealth (1969-1973) | independence C :±: | " |
| Barbados | claimed (1624-1627) | Barbados | |
| " | proprietary colony (1627-1652) | " | |
| " | colony (1652-1663) | " | |
| " | crown colony (1663-1833) | " | |
| " | part of colony of Windward Islands (1833-1885) | " | |
| " | colony (1885-1958) | " | |
| " | province of West Indies Federation (1958-1962) | " | |
| " | colony (1962-1966) | independence C :±: | " |
| Bonaire | occupation (1807-1815) | restored to Netherlands | Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles |
| British Honduras | settlement (1665-1742) | Belize | |
| " | settlement subordinated to Jamaica (1742-1840) | " | |
| " | colony subordinated to Jamaica (1840-1862) | " | |
| " | crown colony subordinated to Jamaica (1862-1884) | " | |
| " | crown colony (1884-1954) | " | |
| " | autonomy (1954-1964) | " | |
| " | self-governing colony (1964-1973) | renamed | " |
| Belize | self-governing colony (1973-1981) | independence C :±: | " |
| British Virgin Islands | occupation (1666-1672) | British Virgin Islands | |
| " | part of colony of Leeward Islands as part of Antigua (1672-1713) | " | |
| " | crown colony part of colony of Leeward Islands (1713-1816) | " | |
| " | part of colony of St. Christopher, Nevis, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands (1816-1832) | " | |
| " | part of colony of Leeward Islands as colony of St. Christopher, Nevis, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands (1832-1871) | " | |
| " | part of Federal Colony of Leeward Islands (1871-1956) | " | |
| " | part of territory of Leeward Islands (1956-1960) | " | |
| " | colony (1960-1967) | " | |
| " | autonomy (1967-1983) | " | |
| " | dependent territory (1983-2002) | " | |
| " | overseas territory (2002-) |  :±: |
" |
| Cayman Islands | colony part of Jamaica (1670-1958) | Cayman Islands | |
| " | province of West Indies Federation (1958-1962) | " | |
| " | crown colony (1962-1983) | " | |
| " | dependent territory (1983-2002) | " | |
| " | overseas territory (2002-) |  :±: |
" |
| Cuba | occupation (1762-1763) | restored to Spain | Cuba |
| Curaçao | occupation (1800-1803; 1807-1816) | restored to Netherlands | Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles |
| Dominica | occupation (1763-1778) | ceded to France | Dominica |
| " | colony (1784-1883) | " | |
| " | part of colony of Leeward Islands (1883-1940) | " | |
| " | part of colony of Windward Islands (1940-1958) | " | |
| " | province of West Indies Federation (1958-1962) | " | |
| " | colony (1962-1967) | " | |
| " | associated state (1967-1978) | independence C | " |
| Grenada | occupation (1762-1763) | Grenada | |
| " | part of colony of South Caribbean Islands (1763-1779) | French Occupation | " |
| " | part of colony of South Caribbean Islands (1783-1802) | " | |
| " | colony (1802-1833) | " | |
| " | part of Windward Islands (1833-1958) | " | |
| " | province of West Indies Federation (1958-1962) | " | |
| " | colony (1962-1967) | " | |
| " | associated state (1967-1974) | independence C :±: | " |
| Guadeloupe | occupation (1759-1763; 1794; 1810-1814; 1815-1816) | restored to France | Guadeloupe, France |
| Jamaica | occupation (1655-1670) | Jamaica | |
| " | colony (1670-1953) | Jamaica; Cayman Islands | |
| " | self-governing colony (1953-1958) | " | |
| " | province of West Indies Federation (1958-1962) | independence C :±: | Jamaica |
| Leeward Islands | colony (1671-1816) | Antigua and Barbuda; British Virgin Islands; Montserrat; St. Kitts and Nevis; Anguilla; Dominica | |
| " | colony (1833-1871) | " | |
| " | federal colony (1871-1940) | " | |
| " | federal colony (1940-1956) | Antigua and Barbuda; British Virgin Islands; Montserrat; St. Kitts and Nevis; Anguilla | |
| " | territory (1956-1960) | dissolved | " |
| Martinique | occupation (1762-1763; 1794-1802; 1809-1814) | restored to France | Martinique, France |
| Montserrat | colony part of Antigua (1632-1667) | French occupation | Montserrat |
| " | part of colony of Leeward Islands (1668-1782) | " | " |
| " | part of colony of Leeward Islands (1784-1816) | " | |
| " | part of colony of Antigua-Barbuda-Montserrat (1816-1832) | " | |
| " | colony part of Antigua (1832-1833) | " | |
| " | part of colony of Leeward Islands (1833-1956) | " | |
| " | colony (1956-1958) | " | |
| " | province of West Indies Federation (1958-1962) | " | |
| " | colony (1962-1967) | " | |
| " | associated state (1967-1983) | " | |
| " | dependent territory (1983-2002) | " | |
| " | overseas territory (2002-) |  :±: |
" |
| Mosquito Coast | protectorate (1668-1786; 1787-1861) | transferred to Nicaragua | Mosquito Coast, Nicaragua |
| Saba | occupation (1665; 1672-1679; 1781; 1801-1803; 1810-1816) | restored to Netherlands | Saba, Netherlands Antilles |
| St. Christopher, Nevis, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands | colony (1816-1832) | St. Kitts and Nevis; Anguilla; British Virgin Islands | |
| " | part of colony of Leeward Islands (1832-1871) | British Virgin Islands separated | " |
| St. Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla | part of colony of Leeward Islands (1882-1956) | St. Kitts and Nevis; Anguilla | |
| " | colony (1956-1958) | ||
| " | province of West Indies Federation (1958-1962) | " | |
| " | colony (1962-1967) | Anguilla declared independence | " |
| " | associated state (1967-1969) | British rule restored on Anguilla | St. Kitts and Nevis |
| " | associated state (1969-1976) | Anguilla separated | St. Kitts and Nevis; Anguilla |
| St. Kitts and Nevis | St. Kitts and Nevis | ||
| - St. Christopher | colony (1623-1666) | French occupation | St. Kitts, St. Kitts and Nevis |
| " | part of colony of Leeward Islands (1671-1701) | " | |
| " | part of colony of Leeward Islands under Antigua (1701-1704) | " | |
| " | part of colony of Leeward Islands (1704-1782) | French occupation | " |
| " | part of colony of Leeward Islands (1783-1816) | " | |
| " | part of colony of St. Christopher, Nevis, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands (1816-1833) | " | |
| " | part of Leeward Islands as colony of St. Christopher, Nevis, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands (1833-1871) | " | |
| " | part of colony of Leeward Islands (1871-1882) | " | |
| " | part of Leeward Islands as colony of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla (1882-1958) | " | |
| " | part of province of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla of West Indies Federation (1958-1962) | " | |
| " | part colony of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla (1962-1967) | " | |
| " | associated state part of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla (1967-1976) | " | |
| " | associated state (1976-1980) | " | |
| - Nevis | colony subordinated to Barbados (1628-1671) | Nevis, St. Kitts and Nevis | |
| " | part of colony of Leeward Islands (1671-1701) | " | |
| " | part of colony of Leeward Islands under Antigua (1701-1704) | " | |
| " | part of colony of Leeward Islands (1704-1816) | " | |
| " | part of colony of St. Christopher, Nevis, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands (1816-1833) | " | |
| " | part of Leeward Islands as colony of St. Christopher, Nevis, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands (1833-1871) | " | |
| " | part of colony of Leeward Islands (1871-1882) | " | |
| " | part of Leeward Islands as colony of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla (1882-1958) | " | |
| " | part of province of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla of West Indies Federation (1958-1962) | " | |
| " | part of colony of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla (1962-1967) | " | |
| " | associated state part of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla (1967-1976) | " | |
| " | associated state (1976-1980) | " | |
| St. Christopher and Nevis | associated state (1980-1983) | independence C :±: | " |
| St. Eustatius | occupation (1665-1666; 1672-1682; 1690-1693; 1781; 1801-1802; 1810-1816) | restored to Netherlands | St. Eustatius, Netherlands Antilles |
| St. Lucia | settlement (1605-1640) | abandoned | St. Lucia |
| " | occupation (1664-1667; 1762-1763; 1781-1783; 1794-1795; 1796-1802) | restored to France | " |
| " | colony (1803-1838) | " | |
| " | crown colony part of colony of Windward Islands (1838-1958) | " | |
| " | province of West Indies Federation (1958-1962) | " | |
| " | crown colony (1962-1967) | " | |
| " | associated state (1967-1979) | independence C :±: | " |
| St. Martin | occupation (1690-1699; 1801-1802) | restored to Netherlands | St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles |
| St. Thomas and St. John | occupation (1801-1802; 1807-1815) | restored to Denmark | U.S. Virgin Islands, United States |
| St. Vincent and the Grenadines | claimed (1627-1636; 1672) | St. Vincent and the Grenadines | |
| " | occupation (1762-1763) | " | |
| " | colony (1763-1776) | " | |
| " | crown colony (1776-1779) | French occupation | " |
| " | crown colony (1783-1833) | " | |
| " | part of colony of Windward Islands (1833-1958) | " | |
| " | province of West Indies Federation (1958-1962) | " | |
| " | colony (1962-1969) | " | |
| " | associated state (1969-1979) | independence | " |
| South Caribbean Islands | colony (1763-1802) | dissolved | Dominica; St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Grenada; Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago |
| Tortuga | colony (1631-1635) | French possession | Haiti |
| Île de la Tortu and Saint-Domingue | occupation (1655-1659; 1793-1798) | restored to France | |
| Trinidad and Tobago | Trinidad and Tobago | ||
| - Tobago | part of colony of Windward Islands (1762-1764) | Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago | |
| " | colony (1764-1781) | colony of France | " |
| " | occupation (1793-1802) | colony of France | " |
| " | crown colony (1803-1833) | " | |
| " | part of colony of Windward Islands (1833-1889) | " | |
| " | crown colony (1889-1899) | united with Trinidad | " |
| - Trinidad | colony (1802-1899) | united with Tobago | Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago |
| Trinidad and Tobago | colony (1899-1958) | Trinidad and Tobago | |
| " | province of West Indies Federation (1958-1962) | independence C | " |
| Turks and Caicos Islands | colony part of Bahamas (1799-1848) | Turks and Caicos Islands | |
| " | colony (1848-1874) | " | |
| " | colony part of Jamaica (1874-1959) | " | |
| " | province of West Indies Federation (1959-1962) | dissolution | " |
| " | crown colony (1962-1983) | " | |
| " | dependent territory (1983-2002) | " | |
| " | overseas territory (2002-) | :±: |
" |
| West Indies Federation | federation of colonies (1958-1962) | dissolution | Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Cayman Islands; Dominica; Grenada; Jamaica;, |
| Montserrat; St. Kitts and Nevis; Anguilla; | |||
| St. Lucia; St. Vincent and the Grenadines; | |||
| Trinidad and Tobago; Turks and Caicos Islands | |||
| Windward Islands | colony (1833-1956) | Grenada; St. Vincent and the Grenadines; | |
| Barbados; Tobago; Dominica; St Lucia | |||
| " | territory (1956-1960) | dissolution | Grenada; Dominica; St. Lucia; St. Vincent and the Grenadines |
South America
(continental South America)
| Territory | Status (Year) | Event Ending Political Entity | Current Jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Guiana | Guyana | ||
| - Oyapoc | settlement (1620) | " | |
| - Berbice | subordinated to Barbados (1781-1782) | French occupation | " |
| " | occupation (1803-1814) | " | |
| " | colony (1814-1831) | united with Demerara-Essequibo as British Guiana | " |
| - Essequibo | subordinated to Barbados (1781-1782) | French occupation | " |
| " | occupation (1796-1802) | restored to Netherlands | " |
| " | occupation (1803-1814) | " | |
| - Demerara | subordinated to Barbados (1781-1782) | French occupation | " |
| " | occupation (1796-1802) | restored to Netherlands | " |
| " | occupation (1803-1814) | " | |
| - Demerara-Essequibo | colony (1814-1831) | united with Berbice as British Guiana | " |
| - Pomeroon | occupation (1666-1667; 1689) | incorporated into Essequibo | " |
| British Guiana | colony (1831-1961) | " | |
| " | self-rule (1961-1966) | independence C !T! GYD abc | " |
| Willoughby | settlement (1652-1688) | Dutch occupation | Paramaribo, Suriname |
Antarctic Region
(territories south of 60°00')
| Territory | Status (Year) | Event Ending Political Entity | Current Jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Antarctic Territory | British Antarctic Territory | ||
| - South Shetland | claimed (1819-1908) | South Shetland, British Antarctic Territory | |
| " | dependency of Falkland Islands (1908-1962) | part of British Antarctic Territory | " |
| - South Orkney | claimed (1821-1908) | South Orkney, British Antarctic Territory | |
| " | dependency of Falkland Islands (1908-1962) | part of British Antarctic Territory | " |
| - Graham Land | annexed (1832-1908) | Graham Land, British Antarctic Territory | |
| " | dependency of Falkland Islands (1908-1962) | part of British Antarctic Territory | " |
| British Antarctic Territory | colony (1962-1983) | British Antarctic Territory | |
| " | dependent territory (1983-2002) | " | |
| " | overseas territory (2002-) |  :±: !T! £GBP abc |
" |
| Enderby Land | claimed (1930-1933) | transferred to Australia | Australian Antarctic Territory, Australia |
| Victoria Land | claimed (1841-1933) | " | " |
Asia
| Territory | Status (Year) | Event Ending Political Entity | Current Jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aden | colony subordinate to Bombay (1839-1873) | Yemen | |
| " | protectorate (1873-1932) | " | |
| " | province of British India (1932-1937) | " | |
| " | crown colony (1937-1963) | part of protectorate of South Arabia | " |
| " | state (1963-1967) | independence | " |
| Afghanistan | protectorate (1839-1842; 1879-1919) | independence | Afghanistan |
| Bahrain | protectorate (1880-1961) | Bahrain | |
| " | autonomy (1961-1971) | independent | " |
| Baluchistan | province (1877-1896) | Baluchistan/Tribal Areas, Pakistan | |
| " | province of British India (1896-1947) | part of Pakistan | " |
| Bantam | station (1603-1609) | Bantam, Indonesia | |
| " | factory (1609-1617) | " | |
| " | presidency (1617-1621) | expelled by the Dutch | " |
| " | subordinated to Surat (1630-1634) | " | |
| " | presidency (1634-1652) | " | |
| " | subordinated to Surat (1652-1682) | expelled by the Dutch | " |
| Bencoolen | Bengkulu, Indonesia | ||
| Fort York | fort subordinated to Madras (1685-1760) | " | |
| Bencoolen | presidency (1760-1785) | " | |
| " | subordinated to Bengal (1785-1825) | part of Netherlands East Indies | " |
| Bengal | factories (1634-1658) | West Bengal, India; Bangladesh | |
| " | subordinated to Madras (1658-1681) | " | |
| " | agency (1681-1682) | " | |
| " | presidency of Coromandel and Bengal Settlements (1682-1694) | " | |
| " | subordinated to Madras (1694-1698) | " | |
| " | presidency of Coromandel and Bengal Settlements (1698-1700) | " | |
| " | presidency (1700-1774) | " | |
| " | part of British India (1774-1854) | " | |
| " | part of province of Bengal-Bihar-Orissa (1854-1905) | " | |
| - West Bengal | province (1905-1912) | partition reserved | West Bengal/Bihar/Orissa/Jharkhand, India |
| - East Bengal | province (1905-1912) | partition reserved | Bangladesh |
| - Fort William | presidency (1912-1937) | West Bengal, India; Bangladesh | |
| - Bengal | presidency (1937-1947) | divided between India and East Pakistan | " |
| Hong Kong | crown colony (1843-1941) | Japanese occupation | Hong Kong, China |
| " | crown colony (1945-1983) | " | |
| " | dependent territory (1983-1997) | restored to China as a Special Administrative Region | " |
| - Hong Kong Island | annexed (1841-1843) | made crown colony | Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong, China |
| - Kowloon, Stonecutters Island | part of Hong Kong (1860-1997) | restored to China as part of Hong Kong SAR | Kownloon/Stonecutters Island, Hong Kong, China |
| - New Territories | lease territory part of Hong Kong (1898-1997) | " | New Territories, Hong Kong, China |
| Pulo Condore Island/Con Dao | possession of British East India Company (1702-1705) | abandoned | Côn Đảo, Vietnam |
| Straits Settlements | possession under British East India Company (1826-1858) | Malacca/Penang, Malaysia; Singapore | |
| " | subordinated to British India (1858-1867) | " | |
| " | crown colony (1867-1942) | occupied by Japan | " |
| Surat | factory (1612-1658) | Surat, India | |
| " | presidency (1658-1668) | " | |
| " | possession under British East India Company (1668-1685) | " | |
| " | subordinated to Bombay (1685-1703) | incorporated into Bombay | " |
| Syria | Syria; Palestine | ||
| - Palestine | occupation (1914-1918) | kingdom of Syria | " |
| - Syria | occupation (1941-1946) | independence | " |
| Transjordan | part of Palestine Mandate (1920-1921) | Jordan | |
| " | mandate (1921-1923) | formally separated from Palestine | " |
| " | mandate (1923-1928) | emirate independent, except military and finance control | " |
| " | independence (1928-1946) | formal independence | " |
| Trucial States | protectorate (1892-1971) | formation of Federation of Arab Emirates | United Arab Emirates |
| South Vietnam | occupation (1945-1946) | formation of Autonomous Republic of Cochinchina | " |
| Weihaiwei | leased (1898-1930) | returned to China | People's Republic of China |
Atlantic
(islands in the Atlantic Ocean)
| Territory | Status (Year) | Event Ending Political Entity | Current Jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bermuda | colony (1612-1684) | Bermuda | |
| " | crown colony (1684-1968) | " | |
| " | self-governing colony (1968-1983) | " | |
| " | dependent territory (1983-2002) | " | |
| " | overseas territory (2002-) |  :±: !T! abc |
" |
| Falkland Islands | Falkland Islands | ||
| - West Falkland | settlement (1766-1774) | withdrew settlement | " |
| - Falkland Islands | sovereignty claim (1774-1833) | re-occupation | " |
| " | crown colony (1841-1892) | " | |
| " | colony (1892-1908) | " | |
| " | colony (1908-1962) | South Shetland/South Orkney/Graham Land, British Antarctic Territory; Falkland Islands | |
| " | colony (1962-1983) | Falkland Islands | |
| " | dependent territory (1983-2002) | " | |
| " | overseas territory (2002-) |  :±: !T! £FKK abc |
" |
| Iceland | occupation (1940-1944) | restored to Iceland | Iceland |
| St. Helena | claimed (1588-1673) | St. Helena | |
| " | possession of British East India Company (1673-1815) | " | |
| " | crown colony (1815-1821) | " | |
| " | possession of British East India Company (1821-1834) | " | |
| " | crown colony (1834-1983) | " | |
| " | dependent territory (1983-2002) | " | |
| " | overseas territory (2002-) |  :±: !T! £SHP abc |
" |
| - Ascension | possession (1815-1922) | Ascension, St. Helena | |
| " | dependency of St. Helena (1922-) | " | |
| - Tristan da Cunha | dependency of Cape Colony (1816-1938) | Tristan da Cunha, St. Helena | |
| " | dependency of St. Helena (1938-) | " | |
| South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands | claimed (1775-1908) | South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands | |
| " | dependency of Falkland Islands (1908-1985) | " | |
| " | dependent territory (1985-2002) | " | |
| " | overseas territory (2002-) |  :±: !T! £GBP abc |
" |
Europe
(continental Europe and offshore islands)
| Territory | Status (Year) | Event Ending Political Entity | Current Jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alderney | lordship (1198-1204) | Alderney, Guernsey | |
| " | fiefdom (1204; 1205; 1206-1279) | occupied by France | " |
| " | part of bailiwick of Guernsey (1279-1660) | granted seigneurie | " |
| " | seigneurie (1660-1825) | subordinated to Guernsey | " |
| Aquitaine | English rule (1199-1294; 1303-1324; 1360-1453) | conquered by France | Aquitaine, France |
| - Gascony | English rule (1152-1149; 1259-1294) | conquered by France | Gascony, France |
| Austria British Zone | occupation (1945-1955) | restored to Austria | Carinthia/Styria/eastTyrol, Austria |
| Berlin British Sector | sector (1945-1990) | German Reunification | Berlin, Germany |
| Brittany | duchy (1169-1206; 1206-1221) | French rule | Brittany, France |
| " | duchy (1429-1453) | restored to France | " |
| Calais | fort (1347-1558) | recaptured by France | Calais, France |
| Corsica | kingdom (1794-1796) | incorporation into France | Corsica, France |
| " | protectorate (1814) | returned to France | " |
| Cyprus | administration (1878-1914) | annexed | Cyprus; |
| crown colony (1925-1960) | Independence | ||
| - Akrotiri and Dhekelia | colonies (1960-1983) | Akrotiri and Dhekelia | |
| " | dependent territory (1983-2002) | " | |
| " | overseas territory (2002-) | :±: |
" |
| Dodecanese | occupation (1945-1947) | restored to Greece | Dodecanese, Greece |
| Elba | garrison (1796-1797) | abandoned | Italy |
| Faroe Islands | occupation (1940-1945) | restored to Faroe Islands | Faroe Islands |
| Germany British Zone | occupation (1945-1955) | part of Federal Republic of Germany | Hamburg/Schleswig-Holstein/Lower Saxony/North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany |
| Gibraltar | occupation (1704-1713) | Gibraltar | |
| " | garrison (1713-1830) | " | |
| " | crown colony (1830-1983) | " | |
| " | dependent territory (1983-2002) | " | |
| " | overseas territory (2002-) |  :±: |
" |
| Guernsey; Brechou; Herm; Jethou; Sark | lordship (1198-1204) | Guernsey | |
| " | fiefdom (1204-1205; 1206-1279) | " | |
| " | bailiwick (1279-1940; 1945-) | !±! | " |
| Hanover | electorate (1714-1803) | Hanover, Germany | |
| " | occupied by France (1803-1805) | " | |
| " | occupied by Prussia (1805-1806) | annexed to Prussia | " |
| " | occupied by France (1806-1810) | " | |
| " | part of Kingdom of Westphalia (1810-1813) | " | |
| " | electorate (1813-1814) | " | |
| " | kingdom (1814-1837) | end of personal union | " |
| Heligoland | occupation (1807-1814) | Heligoland, Germany | |
| " | colony (1814-1890) | transferred to Germany | " |
| " | occupation (1945-1952) | restored to Germany | " |
| Ionian Islands | Ionian Islands, Greece | ||
| - Zante; Cephalonia; Ithaca; Cerigo | occupation (1809-1815) | established as United States of Ionian Islands | Zante/Cephalonia/Ithaca/Cerigo, Greece |
| - Lefkas | occupation (1810-1815) | " | Lefkas, Greece |
| - Paxos | occupation (1814-1815) | " | Paxos, Greece |
| Ionian Islands | protectorate federal republic (1815-1864) | incorporated into Greece | Ionian Islands, Greece |
| Ireland | lordship (1172-1541) | Ireland; Northern Ireland, United Kingdom | |
| " | kingdom (1541-1801) | " | |
| " | part of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1801-1919) | independence declared | " |
| Irish Republic | republic (1919-1922) | not recognised | Ireland |
| Irish Free State | dominion (1922-1949) | independence | " |
| - Antrim; Armagh; Down; Fermanagh; Londonderry; Tyrone | part of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1801-1922) | part of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland | Northern Ireland, United Kingdom |
| " | home rule (1974; 1998-2000; 2000-2002) | home rule suspended :±: |
" |
| Isle of Man | fiefdom under Scotland (1266-1290; 1313-1317; 1328-1333) | Isle of Man | |
| " | fiefdom (1333-1504) | " | |
| " | lordship (1504-1594) | " | |
| " | direct crown rule (1594-1610) | " | |
| " | lordship (1610-1649) | " | |
| " | commonwealth and protectorate (1649-1660) | " | |
| " | lordship (1660-1765) | " | |
| " | possession (1765-1827) | " | |
| " | crown dependency (1827-) | !±! | " |
| Italy | Italy | ||
| - Genoa | occupation (1800) | restored to Genoa | Genoa, Italy |
| " | administration (1814-1815) | annexed to Sardinia-Piedmont | " |
| Italy | occupation (1943-1947) | restored to Italy | Italy |
| Jersey | fiefdom subordinated to Guernsey (1204; 1204-1205; 1206-1279) | Jersey | |
| Jersey | bailiwick subordinated to Guernsey (1279-1380; 1382-1461; 1468-1487) | " | |
| - Minquiers | part of bailiwick of Jersey (1279-1851) | claimed by France | Minquiers, Jersey |
| " | part of bailiwick of Jersey (1953-) | " | |
| - Ecréhous | part of bailiwick of Jersey (1279-1886) | claimed by France | Ecréhous, Jersey |
| " | part of bailiwick of Jersey (1953-) | " | |
| Jersey | bailiwick (1487-1940; 1945- ) | !±! | Jersey |
| Malta | occupation (1802-1814) | Malta | |
| " | crown colony (1814-1921) | " | |
| " | self-governing colony (1921-1933) | " | |
| " | crown colony (1933-1947) | " | |
| " | self-rule (1947-1958) | " | |
| " | direct rule (1958-1961) | " | |
| " | state (1961-1962) | " | |
| " | self-rule (1961-1964) | independence C | " |
| Minorca | occupation (1708-1713) | ceded to Britain | Minorca, Spain |
| " | colony (1714-1756) | occupied by France | " |
| " | colony (1798-1802) | restored to Spain | " |
| Netherlands | Holland/Zeeland/Utrecht/Gelderland/Overijssel, Netherlands | ||
| - Holland; Zeeland; Utrecht | provinces of United Provinces (1672-1702) | end of office of Stadtholder | Holland/Zeeland/Utrecht, Netherlands |
| - Guelders; Overijssel | provinces of United Provinces (1675-1702) | " | Gelderland/Overijssel, Netherlands |
| Normandy | duchy (1066-1204; 1346-1360; 1415-1453) | restored to France | Normandy, France |
| Rhodes | occupation (1945-1947) | restored to Greece | Rhodes, Greece |
| Scotland | Scotland, United Kingdom | ||
| Scotia | kingdom (1174-1189) | fealty nullified | " |
| Scotland | kingdom (1291-1292; 1296-1307) | independence | " |
| " | kingdom (1603-1649) | end of personal union | " |
| " | kingdom (1649-1653) | " | |
| " | part of The Commonwealth (1653-1660) | " | |
| " | kingdom (1660-1707) | part of United Kingdom of Great Britain | " |
| " | home rule (1999-) | :±: |
" |
| Vienna British Sector | sector (1945-1955) | restored to Austria | Vienna, Austria |
| Wales | English rule (1282-1284) | union with England | Wales, United Kingdom |
| " | principality (1284-1301) | subjected to heir of the English throne | " |
| " | principality (1301-1536) | annexed to England | " |
| " | home rule (1999-) | :±: |
" |
Indian Ocean
(islands in the Indian Ocean)
| Territory | Status (Year) | Event Ending Political Entity | Current Jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashmore and Cartier Islands | Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Australia | ||
| - Ashmore Island | annexed (1878-1931) | transferred to Australia | " |
| - Cartier Island | annexed (1909-1931) | " | " |
| British Indian Ocean Territory | British Indian Ocean Territory | ||
| " | occupation (1810-1814) | " | |
| " | part of colony of Seychelles (1814-1903) | " | |
| " | part of colony of Mauritius (1903-1965) | " | |
| " | colony (1965-1976) | Aldabra/Farquhar/Des Roches, Seychelles; British Indian Ocean Territory | |
| " | colony (1976-1983) | British Indian Ocean Territory | |
| " | dependent territory (1983-2002) | " | |
| " | overseas territory (2002-) |  :±: !T! £GBP abc |
" |
| Ceylon | subordinated to presidency of Madras (1795-1798) | Sri Lanka | |
| " | colony (1798-1802) | " | |
| " | crown colony (1802-1886) | " | |
| " | crown colony (1886-1942) | Sri Lanka; Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Australia | |
| " | crown colony (1942-1948) | independence C !T! | Sri Lanka |
| Christmas Island | annexed (1888-1889) | Christmas Island, Australia | |
| " | leased (1889-1890) | " | |
| " | dependency of colony of Straits Settlement (1900-1942) | Japanese occupation | " |
| " | military administration (1945-1946) | " | |
| " | dependency of colony of Singapore (1946-1958) | " | |
| " | crown colony (1958) | territory of Australia | " |
| Cocos (Keeling) Islands | settlement (1825; 1826-1831) | Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Australia | |
| " | fiefdom (1831-1857) | " | |
| " | crown colony (1857-1878) | " | |
| " | part of Ceylon (1878-1886) | " | |
| " | part of Straits Settlements (1886-1942) | " | |
| " | part of Ceylon (1942-1946) | " | |
| " | dependency of colony of Singapore (1946-1955) | territory of Australia | " |
| Heard Island and McDonald Islands | claimed (1833-1947) | transferred to Australian Antarctic Territory | Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Australia |
| Madagascar | occupation (1942-1946) | restored to France | Madagascar |
| Maldives | protectorate (1796-1953) | Maldives | |
| " | republic (1953-1954) | sultantate restored | " |
| " | protectorate (1954-1965) | independence C !T! | " |
| - United Suvadivan Republic | republic (1959-1963) | restored to Maldives | " |
| Mauritius | colony (1810-1965) | Mauritius; Chagos Archipelago, British Indian Ocean Territory | |
| " | colony (1965-1968) | independence C !T! abc | Mauritius |
| - Rodrigues | occupation (1809-1814) | Rodrigues, Mauritius | |
| " | dependency of colony of Mauritius (1814-1968) | part of Mauritius | " |
| Réunion | occupation (1810-1815; 1942-1946) | restored to France | Réunion, France |
| Seychelles | occupation (1794-1810) | Seychelles | |
| " | colony subordinated to Mauritius (1810-1814) | " | |
| " | colony (1814-1903) | " | |
| " | crown colony (1903-1970) | " | |
| " | self-governing colony (1970-1975) | " | |
| " | self-rule (1975-1976) | independence C !T! abc | " |
| - Aldabra; Farquhar; Des Roches | part of British Indian Ocean Territory (1965-1976) | part of Seychelles | Aldabra/Farquhar/Des Roches, Seychelles |
| Tranquebar | Andaman and Nicobar Islands/Nagapattinam, India | ||
| - Dansborg; Frederiksnagore | occupation (1801-1802; 1808-1815; 1845-) | part of British India | Nagapattinam, India |
| - Andaman Islands | possession part of British India (1789-1942) | occupied by Japan | Andaman Islands, India |
| - Nicobar Islands | part of British India (1848-1942) | occupied by Japan | Nicobar Islands, India |
Oceania and the Pacific
(Australian continent and Pacific islands)
| Territory | Status (Year) | Event Ending Political Entity | Current Jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | dominion (1901-1942) | ratified Statute of Westminster C :±: | Australia |
| Baker Island | claimed (1886-1934) | reclaimed by United States | Baker Island, United States |
| Bonin Islands | claimed (1827-1876) | annexed by Japan | Bonin Islands, Japan |
| British New Guinea | protectorate (1884-1886) | Papua New Guinea | |
| New Guinea | colony (1886-1906) | transferred to Australia | " |
| British Solomon Islands | tripartite protectorate (1889-1893) | Solomon Islands | |
| " | protectorate part of British Western Pacific Territories (1893-1942) | Japanese occupation | " |
| " | protectorate part of British Western Pacific Territories (1943-1971) | " | |
| " | protectorate (1971-1973) | " | |
| " | autonomy (1973-1975) | renamed | " |
| Solomon Islands | autonomy (1975-1976) | " | |
| " | self-government (1976-1978) | independence C :±: | " |
| Cook Islands | protectorate (1888-1891) | Cook Islands, New Zealand | |
| " | federation (1891-1900) | annexed by New Zealand | " |
| Fiji | colony (1874-1877) | Fiji | |
| " | part of British Western Pacific Territories (1877-1952) | " | |
| " | colony (1952-1970) | " | |
| " | dominion (1970-1987) | independence C | " |
| Friendly Islands | tripartite protectorate (1889-1900) | Tonga | |
| " | protectorate part of British Western Pacific Territories (1900-1952) | " | |
| " | protectorate (1952-1970) | independence C | " |
| Gilbert and Ellice Islands | protectorate (1892-1916) | Tuvalu; Kiribati | |
| " | crown colony part of British Western Pacific Territories (1916-1949) | Tuvalu; Kiribati; Tokelau, New Zealand | |
| " | crown colony part of British Western Pacific Territories (1949-1975) | Tuvalu; Kiribati | |
| - Gilbert Islands | crown colony part of British Western Pacific Territories (1975-1976) | Kiribati | |
| " | colony (1976-1979) | independence C | " |
| - Ellice Islands | dependency part of British Western Pacific Territories (1975-1976) | Tuvalu | |
| " | colony (1976-1978) | independence C :±: | " |
| Howland Island | claimed (1886-1935) | reclaimed by United States | Howland Island, United States |
| Jarvis Island | annexed (1889-1935) | reclaimed by United States | Jarvis Island, United States |
| Nauru | part of British Western Pacific Territories (1914-1920) | Nauru | |
| " | League of Nations mandate part of British Western Pacific Territories (1920-1921) | " | |
| " | League of Nations mandate (1921-1942) | Japanese occupation | " |
| " | mandate (1945-1947) | " | |
| " | United Nation trust territory (1947-1968) | independence C | " |
| New Hebrides | protectorate (1824-1878) | Vanuatu | |
| " | neutral territory (1878-1887) | " | |
| " | joint naval commission (1887-1906) | " | |
| " | condominium part of British Western Pacific Territories (1906-1976) | " | |
| " | condominium (1976-1980) | independence C | " |
| New South Wales | colony (1788-1825) | New South Wales/Queensland/Tasmania/South Australia/Northern Territory/Victoria/Norfolk Island, Australia; New Zealand | |
| " | colony (1825-1836) | New South Wales/Queensland/South Australia/Northern Territory/Victoria/Norfolk Island, Australia; New Zealand | |
| " | colony (1836-1841) | New South Wales/Queensland/Northern Territory/Victoria/Norfolk Island, Australia; New Zealand | |
| " | colony (1841-1844) | New South Wales/Queensland/Northern Territory/Victoria/Norfolk Island, Australia | |
| " | colony (1844-1851) | New South Wales/Queensland/Northern Territory/Victoria, Australia | |
| " | colony (1851-1859) | New South Wales/Queensland/Northern Territory, Australia | |
| " | colony (1859-1863) | New South Wales/Northern Territory, Australia | |
| " | colony (1863-1901) | state of Australia | New South Wales, Australia |
| - Lord Howe Island | claimed (1788-1834) | Lord Howe Island, Australia | |
| " | settlement (1834-1855) | part of New South Wales | " |
| New Zealand | claimed (1769-1788) | New Zealand | |
| " | part of New South Wales (1792-1835) | declared independence | " |
| " | protectorate (1835-1840) | " | |
| " | possession part of New South Wales (1840-1841) | " | |
| " | colony (1841-1907) | " | |
| " | dominion (1907-1947) | ratified Statute of Westminster C :±: | " |
| Niue | tripartite protectorate (1889-1900) | Niue, New Zealand | |
| " | protectorate part of British Western Pacific Territories (1900-1901) | annexed to New Zealand | |
| Norfolk Island | settlement part of New South Wales (1788-1844) | Norfolk Island, Australia | |
| " | part of colony of Van Diemen's Land (1844-1855) | " | |
| " | part of colony of Tasmania (1855-1856) | " | |
| " | subordinated to New South Wales (1856-1897) | dependency of New South Wales | " |
| Palmyra Atoll | annexed (1889-1898) | annexed by United States | Palmyra Atoll, United States |
| Pitcairn Islands | protectorate (1838-1887) | Pitcairn, Pitcairn Islands | |
| " | colony (1887-1898) | " | |
| " | part of British Western Pacific Territories (1898-1902) | " | |
| " | part of British Western Pacific Territories (1902-1970) | Pitcairn/Sandy Island/Oeno/Henderson/Ducie, Pitcairn Islands | |
| " | colony (1970-1983) | " | |
| " | dependent territory (1983-2002) | " | |
| " | overseas territory (2002-) |  :±: |
" |
| Queensland | part of colony of New South Wales (1824-1859) | Queensland, Australia | |
| " | colony (1859-1901) | state of Australia | " |
| - Torres Strait Islands | part of colony of Queensland (1879-1901) | part of Queensland | " |
| - Coral Sea Islands | part of colony of Queensland (1879-1901) | " | Coral Sea Islands, Australia |
| Samoa | tripartite protectorate (1889-1900) | annexed by Germany | Samoa; Niue, New Zealand; Solomon Islands; American Samoa, United States |
| Sandwich Islands | protectorate (1794-1843) | independence | Hawaii, United States |
| South Australia | part of colony of New South Wales (1788-1836) | South Australia, Australia | |
| " | province (1836-1863) | " | |
| " | province (1863-1901) | state of Australia | South Australia/Northern Territory, Australia |
| Van Diemen's Land | part of New South Wales (1803-1825) | Tasmania, Australia | |
| " | colony (1825-1844) | " | |
| " | colony (1844-1855) | renamed | Norfolk Island/Tasmania, Australia |
| Tasmania | colony (1855-1856) | " | |
| " | colony (1856-1901) | state of Australia | Tasmania, Australia |
| - Macquarie Island | part of colony of New South Wales (1810-1890) | Macquarie Island, Australia | |
| " | part of colony of Tasmania (1890-1901) | part of Tasmania | " |
| Tokelau | protectorate (1889-1898) | Tokelau, New Zealand | |
| " | protectorate part of British Western Pacific Territories (1898-1916) | " | |
| " | part of colony of Gilbert and Ellice Islands (1916-1949) | transferred to New Zealand | " |
| Victoria | part of colony of New South Wales (1839-1851) | state of Australia | Victoria, Australia |
| " | colony (1851-1901) | state of Australia | Victoria, Australia |
| Western Australia | |||
| - King George Sound | settlement (1791-1829) | transferred from New South Wales | Western Australia, Australia |
| - Swan River | colony (1829-1832) | renamed | " |
| Western Australia | colony (1832-1901) | state of Australia | " |
Treaties and Acts
See also
- British Empire
- Commonwealth of Nations
- Commonwealth Realms
- Imperialism
- Colonialism
- Decolonisation
- Westminster System
- Common law
- Pound (currency)
- List of Treaties
References and external links
- UK Overseas Territories
- The Commonwealth
- World Statesmen
- Imperialism - History links for 19th & 20th century imperialism, casahistoria.net